This was the last Seafire variant to be introduced during WW2 but only just too late to see any form of action. It was the first Seafire to be powered by a Griffon engine.
Development began with the need for a more powerful Seafire in March 1943 when a brace of Spitfire Mk.XII’s were acquired by the FAA. They were navalised by Supermarine and 778 NAS began carrier trials with the two aircraft. They were found to perform excellently but with problems on deck landing and take-off. Nevertheless, six prototypes were ordered for the Seafire Mk.XV. One was completed in November 1943 and the rest in early 1944.
The problems faced were caused, ironically, by the Griffon engines power. The Griffon IV had very high torque and tended to pull the aircraft to the right, even if the rudder was turned fully. This caused the Mk.XV to veer towards the carrier island during take-off, not an ideal situation. Secondly, the single-phase supercharger began to slip at high speeds making landing dangerous. Thirdly, the landing gear was not improved and therefore not rigid enough for the higher stress produced by the higher power. None of these issues were fully addressed until later variants.
One improved feature was the new Sting type arrestor hook which was positioned aft of the tail wheel at the base of the rudder. On landing the hook was extended and lowered giving it greater clearance. The aircraft could be higher off the deck and still grab cable making landing easier, avoiding the cables tangling with the rear wheel.
However, despite all this, orders for the Mk.XV had already been placed, including 150 which were originally Mk.III’s but the order was changed to incorporate the MK.XV. A further 250 were ordered from Cunliffe-Owen, the main contractor, and another for 140 from Westland. In 1944 another 500 were ordered from Cunliffe-Owen. Only one third of these, about 380, were produced mainly due to the end of hostilities in Europe.
Many of the Mk.XV were to equip 802 NAS in the UK in May 1945, 805 NAS in the Mediterranean and 801 NAS in the Pacific along with 806 NAS in September 1945, overlapping with 804 NAS in early 1947. 802 NAS were embarked on HMS Queen for the Far East, but hostilities ended before they arrived. Similarly, the Mk.XV was too late to see active service with the all the Squadrons. 801 NAS stayed in Australia until they were returned to the UK in 1946 leaving their aircraft behind.
Post war operations saw Mk.XV’s deployed in the Mediterranean and Home Defence but reduced to shore-based activities due to ongoing issues with the supercharger. The type served until 1947/1948 when all squadrons operating the type were re-equipped with the Hawker Sea Fury.
There are only 3 surviving Seafire F Mk.XV, one in the USA, allegedly airworthy, one static in Burma and one static in Canada.
